JAMES CLERK MAXWELL

Heinrich Hertz
Andre Marie Amper
Michael Faraday
Hans Christian Oersteo
Propagation of an Electromagnetic Wave
Electromagnetic waves are waves which can travel through the vacuum of outer space.
Mechanical waves, unlike electromagnetic waves, require the presence of a material
medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. Sound waves
are examples of mechanical waves while light waves are examples of electromagnetic
waves.
Electromagnetic waves are created by the vibration of an electric charge. This vibration
creates a wave which has both an electric and a magnetic component. An
electromagnetic wave transports its energy through a vacuum at a speed of 3.00 x
108 m/s (a speed value commonly represented by the symbol c). The propagation of an
electromagnetic wave through a material medium occurs at a net speed which is less
than 3.00 x 108 m/s. This is depicted in the animation below.
The mechanism of energy transport through a medium involves the absorption and
reemission of the wave energy by the atoms of the material. When an electromagnetic
wave impinges upon the atoms of a material, the energy of that wave is absorbed. The
absorption of energy causes the electrons within the atoms to undergo vibrations. After
a short period of vibrational motion, the vibrating electrons create a new
electromagnetic wave with the same frequency as the first electromagnetic wave. While
these vibrations occur for only a very short time, they delay the motion of the wave
through the medium. Once the energy of the electromagnetic wave is reemitted by an
atom, it travels through a small region of space between atoms. Once it reaches the
next atom, the electromagnetic wave is absorbed, transformed into electron vibrations
and then reemitted as an electromagnetic wave. While the electromagnetic wave will
travel at a speed of c (3 x 108 m/s) through the vacuum of interatomic space, the
absorption and reemission process causes the net speed of the electromagnetic wave
to be less than c. This is observed in the animation below.

The actual speed of an electromagnetic wave through a material medium is dependent

upon the optical density of that medium. Different materials cause a different amount of
delay due to the absorption and reemission process. Furthermore, different materials
have their atoms more closely packed and thus the amount of distance between atoms
is less. These two factors are dependent upon the nature of the material through which
the electromagnetic wave is traveling. As a result, the speed of an electromagnetic
wave is dependent upon the material through which it is traveling.
PARTS OF THE WAVE
Introduction

We are exposed to different types of waves everyday. Radio waves, microwaves, and
UV waves are just a few of the unseen ones. But of course when we experience visible
light, we are perceiving color in the form of a wave's wavelength and frequency. When
we experience audible sound, it's the wave's wavelength and frequency we perceive.
Waves are all around us, in many frequencies and wavelengths. Some are safe, and
some are very dangerous. They help us communicate globally and cook. They can kill
cancer or cause it. So what do waves look like?

Transverse Wave Parts

Transverse waves look like a roller coaster track. Periods of hills and valleys traveling in
a straight line. The shape of a transverse wave looks like hills and valleys because it
travels perpendicularly to the force applied.

Crest
The highest part of a transverse wave is the crest. The top of the crest is the point the
furtherest away from the resting place.

Trough
The lowest part of a transverse wave is the trough. The bottom of the trough is the point
furtherest away from the resting place.

Wavelength
The distance from one crest to the next or from one trough to the next is a transverse
wave's wavelength. If the crests or troughs get closer together, the wavelength
becomes smaller. If the crests or troughs get further apart, the wavelength become
larger.

Amplitude
Amplitude is the distance from the resting place to the crest or trough. If you were
looking at a roller coaster, then you would agree that the highest hill has more amplitude
than the lowest hill.
Resting Point
The resting place is considered the spot where the wave begins disturbing the medium.

For practice on learning the parts of a transverse wave, visit this page

Longitudinal Wave Parts

Longitudinal waves look like Slinkies. They look like they bunch up then spread out as
they travel. This is because they travel parallel to the force.

Compression
Compressions are the compressed part of the wave. Once a force is applied, the energy
is transferred in the same direction causing the compression of the medium.

Rarefaction
Rarefactions are the spread out part of the wave. As the wave travels through the
medium, it will alternate the compression with the rarefaction

Wavelength
The wavelength of a longitudinal wave is measured from compression to compression
or rarefaction to rarefaction. In other words, you measure the length of the wave by one
complete cycle of the compression and the rarefaction right next to it.